You guys in the snow a lot, what do you prefer?

there are a lot of options today vers the traditional “chains”.
I like the idea of the Auto Socks - easy on-n-off!
And it’s a smooth ride on snow....no chain bumpy-bump!

But, while they seem great, I don’t know of any actual users.
Is the traction really there?
I only need ‘em as backup...in case they have chain requirements here in Calif.
(I’m not a daily snow driver)

So....Any of you use the “sock” on your F-150?

 

You can drive much faster with chains. Socks are limited to 20 mpg. https://autosock.us/faq/

Been driving for 40+ years, including dozens of ski areas. Never needed chains.

 

Those look, "interesting". I like cable chains for ice.

 

 

These are less likely to damage suspension parts.

 

The real question is will CHP allow you to use them instead of chains?

 

yes - in Calif tire chain now refers to “tire traction device”
includes chains, cables, plastic arms, and socks.

the sock reviews and tests say they are good as or better than traditional chains

just interesting stuff.....

 

We have some of our class 8 size service trucks that use the socks. Less weight for them to carry, easier for 1 person to put on, but they are like a 1 time use thing. For a personal truck as long as you have good tires and 4x4 I just cant see a need for either. I drive the canyons to the ski resorts here 12+ times per year, and have been for almost 30 years and I have never had a need for chains or such. Used to do it in a FWD Escort in the 90s, and as long as I had good tires everything was fine (which I always did so I never had a slide off. All the slide offs I have seen were from people with inappropriate tires and/or too much speed). If you feel a need to carry something for a just in case scenario, the auto socks are easier to pack in your vehicle.

 

This ^^^

A good driver can drive almost anything through almost any weather. In the late 70s I had a Datsun 280Z. All engine. Put snows on the rear, still awful. Drove it to Colorado one year. No one could get up the road to the lodge. Turn around, opened hatch, and drove up backwards, i.e. Front Wheel Drive...

Drove similar drive with Jeep CJ one year. Got off highway in middle of night to gas up. Gas station attendant asked where we had come from, and we told him the highway. He said "highway is closed due to ice". We said "yeah, we've been driving on all ice for an hour, so no cars, but no one told us to get off highway."

 

I had auto socks about 9-10 years ago on a VW Golf when I lived in Colorado. I also had dedicated snow tires on the vehicle. I only had to use the auto socks once. I had parked at the bottom of a pretty steep hill the day before and it dumped a bunch of snow overnight. Even with the snow tires, I couldn't make it up the hill. I put the auto socks on and the Golf climbed up the steep incline with no slip and no issues. Took them off once I was on flat ground again and then never used them again. If I didn't have them that day, I would've been stuck at the bottom of the hill for a day or two until the snow melted. So IMO, yes, they work well.